Biddenham Pit

Biddenham Pit is a gravel pit and Site of Special Scientific Interest[1] (SSSI), 0.41 hectares in size located in Biddenham, Bedfordshire.[2] The pit was notified to Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire County Council under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) in 1988,[2] and is also a Geological Conservation Review site.[3] The site is owned by Persimmon Homes and Kier Homes, with management advice given by Natural England.[4]

Biddenham Pit
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Area of SearchBedfordshire
Grid referenceTL022503
InterestGeological
Area0.4 hectares
Notification1988
Location mapMagic Map

The pit provides an intact and visually inspectable terrace gravel, both silty and clayey, which has been laid down by the River Great Ouse.[2] Several features of scientific interest have been identified in the deposits - interglacial mollusca and mammalian remains have been found, possible microfossil material as well as evidence of a prolific Paleolithic industry in the lowest layers of the gravel.[2] Its last official inspection by a Natural England staff member found the whole site[5] and more specifically the gravel feature inside it to be in a 'Favourable' condition.[6]

There is access by a footpath from Malcote Close.[4]

References
  1. "SSSI information". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Archived from the original on 28 November 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  2. "Notification to Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire County Council regarding the application" (PDF). Natural England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 November 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  3. "GCR Site Details - Biddenham Pit (Quaternary of East Anglia)". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Archived from the original on 28 November 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  4. Whiteley, Martin (February 2011). "Geology on your doorstep" (PDF). Bedford Geology Group Newsletter - Winter 2010/2011. Bedfordshire Geology Group. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 November 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  5. "SSSI condition summary". Natural England. 1 November 2013. Archived from the original on 28 November 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
  6. "Condition of SSSI units". Natural England. 1 November 2013. Archived from the original on 28 November 2013. Retrieved 28 November 2013.

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